Saints + Scripture

Better Late than Never | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

The Popish Plot
"A Catholic Guide to Grief"

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Apollinaris, Bishop & Martyr (died circa 79, of Ravenna), inaugural Bishop of Ravenna (64-79), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Vespasian: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Diocese-link & Wikipedia-link Ravenna.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Elijah the Prophet (ninth century B.C., A.K.A. the Tishbite; Latinized as Elias): Prophet-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Joseph Barsabbas, Bishop & Martyr (died circa 68, of Eleutheropolis*; A.K.A. Justus) martyred by order of the future Roman emperor Vespasian: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: One of two candidates to assume the office of Apostle vacated by the traitor Judas Iscariot. The other man, St. Matthias, was chosen by the Holy Spirit. *An anachronism; in his time, what became Eleutheropolis was called Betaris.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Margaret of Antioch, Virgin & Martyr (circa 289-304; also spelt Margherita, A.K.A. Marina the Great Martyr), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian, a victim of the Great Persecution (303-313); one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers: Martyr-link ūna, Martyr-link duæ, & Wikipedia-link; Persecutions-link & Wikipedia-link Persecution; & Holy Helpers-link & Wikipedia-link Holy Helpers.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Aurelius of Carthage, Bishop (died circa 430), Bishop of Carthage (391-430): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Diocese-link & Wikipedia-link Carthage.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Luigi Novarese, Priest (1914-1984), co-founder of the Apostolate of the Suffering (1947) & the Silent Workers of the Cross (1950), founder of the Marian Priest League (1943) & the Brothers & Sisters of the Sick (1952): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Micah, chapter six, verses one thru four, six, seven, & eight;
Psalm Fifty (R/. twenty-three[b]), verses five & six, eight & nine, sixteen(b/c) & seventeen, & twenty-one & twenty-three;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twelve, verses thirty-eight thru forty-two.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, in today’s Gospel, the Lord tells his opponents, who asked for a sign, that no sign will be given except the sign of Jonah—that is, the Resurrection. According to the early Church Fathers, Christ’s coming precipitated a warfare with the powers that hold the world in their sway.

In bringing God’s ordo to the world, Jesus had to move into the arena of disorder, but this invasion was not met with passivity or acquiescence. Rather, the principalities of the world—Herod, Pilate, the scribes and Pharisees, the demons—waged a ferocious struggle against him, and it was only through the drama of the cross and Resurrection that Jesus managed to defeat them.

He took all of their violence, and through courageous forgiveness, robbed it of its authority, for violence feeds on itself, surviving only through reproduction. When it is met with compassion and forgiveness, it dissipates, its power source gone. In the language of the Fathers, Jesus thereby tied up the devil, frustrating him into submission, leading our captivity to hatred captive. So, as the hymn text has it: “The strife is o’er, the battle done…”

Video reflection by Monsignor James Vlaun (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.

Video reflection by Curtis Mitch (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology): Daily Reflection.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Apollinaris
The Book of Ezekiel, chapter thirty-four, verses eleven thru sixteen;
Psalm Twenty-three (R/. one), verses one, two, & three(a); four; five; & six;
The Gospel according to John, chapter ten, verses eleven thru sixteen.

Scripture Study—Day 91: Contentness Plateau, Day 29
The Second Book of Samuel, chapter eleven, verses one & two.

Commentary: David Commits Adultery with Bathsheba (2 Samuel, 11:1-2).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"How do we picture Christ? What does Jesus seem to be like at first sight? Once again, His own words help us. He said, 'I am meek & humble of Heart.' This is how Jesus wishes to be seen."
—Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978, r. 1963-1978; feast: 29 May)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"The world does not need what you have, but who you are."
—St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (1891-1942, feast: 9 August)

Mother Teresa Quote o' the Day

"We know only too well that what we are doing is nothing more than a drop in the ocean in the whole scheme of things, but not for the people we serve. So, our work may be just a drop in the ocean, but if that drop were not there, the ocean would be missing something."
—St. Teresa of Calcutta, M.C. (1910-1997, feast: 5 September)

Archbishop Sheen Quote o' the Day

"In Russia there was a play called Christ in the Morning Coat. On the stage was a simulated altar filled with vodka bottles, with drunken priests & drunken nuns about it. An actor, whose name was Rostovich, came out to ridicule the beatitudes. He began reading, 'Blessed are the poor, blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy, blessed are the clean of heart for they shall see God.' And he read on & on in the Gospel of Matthew. At the end he said, 'I believe.' It was the end of the show, & they never played it again. No one knows what has happened to Rostovich. There are holes in the head of each & every one of us, & God”s grace can get inside."
—Ven. Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)